Bib with child resistant closure

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;s bib, for securement around the neck of a child, including a main, substantially planar front piece, a pair of adjustable neck straps, and a two-piece, releasable buckle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a child's or infant's bib.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and very young children of three years of age or more(hereinafter collectively referred to as “child” or “children”) aregenerally fed by their parents or care-givers. During this feeding, thechild is often sitting in a high chair. To protect the child's clothingfrom food stains during feeding, a bib is secured around the child'sneck.

Many times, a child will show signs of impatience with the feedingprocess, or become annoyed by the placement of the bib around thechild's neck. As a result, the child may attempt to remove the bib.

Conventional bibs are fastened around the neck of a child with eithertwo tie strings, or with other different types of fasteners.

The two string-type fasteners are secured by making a bow with the endsof those strings, in the same manner as the tying of a bow on shoelaces. These bows, however, are easily undone by many children.

Similarly, conventional fasteners, including Velcro, buttons, andothers, can be relatively easily defeated by children. For example,children are generally able to determine how to unhook Velcro fastenersin the conventional manner. Alternatively, children can give a strongtug to the bib straps to which the Velcro loops are secured, and causethe separation of the bib straps.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new,relatively safe and secure means of fastening a bib around the neck of achild.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a child's bib, for securement around the neck of achild.

The bib includes a main, substantially planar front piece. Optionally,the bib may include a collecting tray adjacent the bottom of thesubstantially planar front piece. The collecting tray prevents some foodfrom falling onto the high chair, or onto the floor.

The bib is configured to be worn over the chest, and around the neck, ofa child.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bib includes a pair of neckstraps. Each of these neck straps may be approximately equal in length.One end of each neck strap is connected to the main planar front piece.As noted above, the neck straps are configured and designed forplacement around the neck of the child.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a two-piece,releasable buckle. The most preferred buckle is a so-called parachutebuckle.

Preferably, the first of the two pieces of the releasable buckle has afemale end, and the second of the two pieces has a male end. The firstof the two pieces is secured to the first of the two neck straps. Thesecond of the two pieces is secured to the second of the two neckstraps.

The buckle secures the neck straps of the bib to the child, and isrelatively difficult for the typical child to defeat. The buckle is bestpositioned at the back of the neck of the child. In this way, the childhas difficulty seeing or accessing the buckle.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, one or both of the straps isof an adjustable length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first embodiment of the bib of theinvention, positioned as it would be worn by a child.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, frontal view of the bib of the invention, removedfrom the child.

FIG. 3 is an upper, rear view of the bib and child of FIG. 1, showingthe buckle in its fully fastened, secured position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bib of FIG. 1, but further includingan optional collecting tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As may be seen in FIG. 1, the invention is a child's bib 10. The bib 10is specifically made for securement around the neck of a child.

The bib 10 includes a main, substantially planar front piece 12. Thesubstantially planar or flat nature of the front piece 12 enables thebib 10 to fit closely to the contours of the child's upper body. In thisway, the bib 10 sits comfortably on the child's upper body, and providesexcellent protection against accidental soiling of the child's clothingduring feeding.

The substantially planar front piece 12 may be made of any suitablefabric or substance. If softness or the ability to remove stains throughlaundering is of paramount concern, then the bib 10 may be made of acotton, linen, polyester, or other similar fabric.

In contrast, if water-resistance or the immediate ability to wipe awayfood particles or food stains from the bib is of greater concern, thenthe bib 10 may be made of a soft, flexible silicone, polymer or othersimilar material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the substantially planar front piece12 is of a generally flat construction along its entire length. However,as will be discussed in more detail below, a second embodiment of theinvention may include means for collecting food that falls from thechild's mouth, or otherwise falls onto the bib 10.

Returning again to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the bib 10 is configured tobe worn over the chest and upper body, and to be secured around theneck, of a child.

To facilitate this, the bib 10 includes a pair of one-inch wide neckstraps 14 and 16. The neck straps 14 and 16 of FIG. 1 are preferablymade of a braided fabric, such as one-inch or 1½″ flat nylon webbing.Such webbing is commonly available at retail fabric stores, or fromon-line merchandisers, including from Strapworks.com, 3900 West 1^(st)Avenue, Eugene, Oreg.

As may best be seen in FIG. 2, one end 18 of strap 14 is secured to thetop, left portion of the substantially planar front piece 12. As mayalso be seen in this FIG. 2, one end 20 of strap 16 is secured to thetop, right portion of the substantially planar front piece 12. Bothstraps 14 and 16 may be secured to the substantially planar front piece12 by any suitable means, including by sewing, with stitching 22 and 24,the respective ends 18 and 20 to the planar front piece 12.

Each of these neck straps 14 and 16 may be approximately equal inlength. As will be explained in more detail below, when these neckstraps 14 and 16 are approximately equal in length, and the bib isfastened in place on the child's torso, a fastener holding straps 14 and16 together will be positioned approximately at the back center of thechild's neck. In this back center position, the child will have greaterdifficulty accessing that fastener, and much greater difficultyunfastening the bib 10 from around the child's neck.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment, theinvention includes a two-piece, releasable buckle. The most preferredbuckle is a two-piece, releasable parachute-type buckle 26. An exampleof one such buckle 26 is available from Dritz as part number 480. Thisbuckle 26 is suitable for one-inch wide straps, such as straps 14 and16. However, straps and buckles of any suitable width may be used.

Preferably, as may best be seen in FIG. 2, the two pieces of theparachute buckle 26 are comprised of a first piece 28 having a femaleend, and a second piece 30 having a male end. The first female piece 28is secured to first strap 14, and the second male piece 30 is secured tosecond strap 16. Of course, the first 28 and second 30 pieces may besecured on either of the two straps 14 and 16, according to thepreference of the user.

When the two pieces 28 and 30 are brought together, an audible click isheard. This click provides assurance that the buckle 26 is securelyfastened.

This click results from the compression, and then the expansion mating,of the tines 32 and 34 of the second piece 30 into a complementary slotin the first piece 28. Together, these two pieces 28 and 30 form thecompleted buckle 26 shown in FIG. 3.

To release the completed buckle 26 of FIG. 3, the user places hisfingers on each of the tines 32 and 34, and pushes inwardly on the tines32 and 34. This releases the locking effect of the two tines 32 and 34on the first piece 28. Once the tines 32 and 34 are released, the usermay separate the two pieces 28 and 30.

As may be seen in FIG. 3, the buckle 26 secures the neck straps 14 and16 of the bib 10 to the child. The particular construction of thebuckle, and its position on the back of the child's neck, makes it verydifficult for the typical child to defeat. First, because the buckle 26is positioned at the back of the neck of the child, the child has muchdifficulty seeing or accessing the buckle 26.

Second, for a typical child with the buckle 26 in the back of its neck,the fine motor skills required for the separate pushing and pullingmotions necessary to separate the buckle 26 will prove difficult orimpossible. The typical child will be unable to simultaneously execute(i) the pushing necessary to release the tines 32 and 34; and (ii) thepulling necessary to separate the two pieces 28 and 30 of the buckle 26.As a result, this combination of features of this invention will defeatmost attempts of a child to remove the bib 10.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, in yet another embodiment of the invention,one or both of the straps 14 and 16 is of an adjustable length. Theadjustability of straps 14 and 16 is attributable to the insertion ofthe straps 14 and 16 into slots 36 and 38 at the respective ends offirst piece 28 and second piece 30 of the preferred buckle 26 of theinvention.

The buckle 26 need not be centered in the back of the child's neck, inthe manner shown in FIG. 3. Rather, due to both the adjustability of thestraps 14 and 16, and the ability to move the completed buckle 26anywhere along the length of the combined straps 14 and 16, thecompleted buckle 26 may be positioned anywhere along the combined lengthof the straps 14 and 16. Particularly, referring to FIG. 2, thecompleted buckle 26 may be positioned on strap 14 just above the top,left portion 44 of the substantially planar front piece 12. In addition,the completed buckle 26 may be placed on strap 16 just above the top,right portion 46 of the substantially planar front piece 12. Finally,the completed buckle 26 may be positioned on straps 14 and 16 anywherein between these two extremes.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the effective length of strap 16 is changedby manipulation of the tail end 40 of that strap 16 by the user. If thestrap 16 is moved through slot 38 such that more of the tail end 40 isexposed, the strap 16 will be shorter in length. If the strap 16 ismoved through the slot 38 such that less of the tail end 40 is exposed,the strap 16 will be longer.

FIG. 4 shows a feature of another embodiment of the invention.Particularly, the bib 10 may include a collecting tray 42 adjacent thebottom of the substantially planar front piece 12. The collecting tray42 prevents some food from falling onto the high chair, or onto thefloor.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child's bib, for securement around the neck of a child, the bib comprising: (a) a main, substantially planar front piece, configured to be worn over the chest of a child; (b) a pair of neck straps, connected to the main planar front piece, for placement around the neck of the child; and (c) a releasable buckle, attached to the pair of straps, for securing the bib to the child.
 2. The child's bib of claim 1, wherein the straps are approximately equal in length.
 3. The child's bib of claim 1, wherein the parachute-type buckle is comprised of a male end and a female end.
 4. The child's bib of claim 1, further comprising a collecting tray adjacent the bottom of the substantially planar front piece.
 5. A child's bib, for securement around the neck of a child, the bib comprising: (a) a main, substantially planar front piece, and a collecting tray adjacent the bottom of the substantially planar front piece, all being configured to be worn over the chest of a child; (b) a pair of neck straps, approximately equal in length, and connected to the main planar front piece, for placement around the neck of the child; and (c) a two-piece, releasable parachute-type buckle, with the first of the two pieces having a female end, and the second of the two pieces having a male end, wherein the first of the two pieces is attached to the first strap of the pair of straps, and the second of the two pieces is attached to the second strap of the pair of straps, the buckle for securing the bib to the child.
 6. The child's bib of claim 5, wherein one of the straps has an adjustable length.
 7. The child's bib of claim 5, wherein both of the straps has an adjustable length
 8. A child's bib, for securement around the neck of a child, the bib comprising: (a) a main, substantially planar front piece, configured to be worn over the chest of a child; (b) a pair of neck straps, each of the neck straps separately connected to the main planar front piece, the neck straps being for placement around the neck of the child; and (c) a two-piece, releasable buckle, with each of the two pieces of the buckle connected to one of the neck straps; wherein the buckle is positioned near the back of the child's neck when the bib is worn by the child. 